Can-turning apparatus



g- 1939. w. E. CONLEY, JR 2,169,833

CAN-TURNING AIIPARATUS Filed July 13, 19:58 2 Shoots-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR W1. BY 2 ms ATTORNEYS Aug! 15, 1939. w. E. CONLEY. JR 2,159,333

CAN-TURNING APPARATUS Filed July 13, 1938 2 Siioets-Sheet 2 i .E' i

Ti 2 INVENTOR g 146/ s. I I BY W fl J ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 15, 1939 PATENT. OFFICE 2,169,833 CAN-TURNING APPARATUS Weld E. Conley, Jr., Richmond, Va., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Thermal Research Corporation, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Virginia Application July 13, 1938, Serial No. 218,979

ing these operations deliver the cans in successive ranks of. from two to six or more cans disposed 15 in end-to' end axial alignment, these ranks issuing from the apparatus with the aligned cans disposed horizontally and transversely of their direction of travel. In other forms of treatment apparatus, the cans are delivered in a continuous 20 horizontal row in end-to-end axial alignment, with the can axes in line with their direction of travel. In the operations which follow cooking,

sterilization or pasteurization, which subsequent operations usually comprise labeling, packing, 25 etc., it is frequently necessary to dispose and convey the cans in a single row with their axes horizontal and normal to their direction of travel, so that thecans may be successively rolled in parallel positions through labeling or other de- 30 vices. IWith the use of modern equipment, the

cans are discharged from the sterilizing or other treatment apparatus at such a highrate of speed that the re-arrangement or turning of the cans so that they may roll in parallel relation in a 35 single file is a diflicult problem. Thus in one known type of sterilizer, the cans are delivered in ranks of from two to ten cans abreast at the rate of about thirty ranks per minute. This means that at times, 300 cans per minute must be rearranged to roll in parallel relation if the ac;

cumulation or re-handling of the cans is to be avoided. I,

With the above and other considerations in mind, it is proposed in accordance with the pres- 45 ent invention to provide an improved can turning device capable of receiving cans delivered in end-to-end axial alignment, turning the successive cans and delivering them in a single row with their axes parallel and extending transverse- 50 ly .of their direction of travel. A further object of the invention is to provide simple can turning apparatus of the type described which is capable of performing the necessary can turning operation at very high speeds without the application 3| of power or the use of complicated mechanism involving parts requiring frequent servicing. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as the description thereof progresses.

The objects of the invention are carried out by 5 providing two interconnected curved ducts, chutes or passages for respectively conducting the cans in axial alignment and with their axes parallel, the cans being turned to the desired positions by the curvature of the ducts and the transfer from one duct to the other. The first duct is curved downwardly, and having a-substantially horizontal inlet portion for receiving cylindrical cans in axial alignment and a substantially vertical outlet portion through which the cans drop with their axes substantially vertical. The second duct has an inlet end communicating laterally with the outlet portion of the first duct adjacent its lower end and forming an inclined stop means extending across the lower end of the first duct. The second duct is curved to extend outwardly and downwardly from the first or upper duct, and is of such size as to receive and conduct the 'cans in parallel relation as they are impelled laterally from the lower end ofthe upper duct by impinging contact with the inclined stop means.

e In describing the invention in detail, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which certain embodiments thereof have been illustrated. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of can turning apparatus embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation, partly in section, taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, taken along the line 33 of Figure l and viewed in the direction of the arrows; and v Figure 4 is a sectional end elevation of a modified form of apparatus embodying the invention. '40

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 to 3, an embodiment ofmy can turning apparatus has been illustrated in connection with the delivery end of a sterilizer S of known construction which ejects cans 5 in successive horizontal rows or ranks, each comprising a plurality of axially aligned cans. The number of cans in each rank varies with the size of the sterilizer and the can size, and in the drawings, six cans are illustrated in each rank. The cans fall from a chute or equivalent means 6 at the outlet end of the sterilizer S onto a transverse conveyor belt I where they are held by stationary guides 8 and 9 and are propelled laterally of the sterilizer in axial alignment by the movement of' the belt I. The belt I is carried by suitable means, such as the pulleys ill and Ii, and is drivhas a substantially horizontal upper end l4.

aligned with and adjacent the delivery end of the conveyor belt I. The downward curvature of the duct C is such that its lower end I! is vertical, or nearly so, whereby the cans delivered to this duct are turned during their passage therethrough to substantially axially aligned positions. The duct C may comprise a tube of metal or other material, or as shown, may comprise aplurality ofmetallic straps l6, l1 and it supported by bands i8 or equivalent means atsuitable intervals. The side straps H are aligned with and may comprise integral extensions of the conveyor belt guides 8 and 9 and the lower strap It has its upper end disposed-adjacent and aligned with the belt I at the pulley l I, as shown in Figure 2. The inlet end of the strap i6 is preferably flared upwardly as shown to facilitate the entrance of the cans 5 into the duct. As the successive cans fall through the duct C, they separate, 'as shown in Figure 2,.so that there is an appreciable clearance between the adjacent ends of the successive cans when they reach the lower, portion 15 of the duct.

A second downwardly curved duct or chute D has an upper end [9 communicating with one side of the lower portion ii of the upper duct C, and a substantially vertical lower end 2|! communicating with an inclined trough 2| or other suitable can carrying means. As shown in Figure 2, the duct D is of sufllcient width to conduct the cans 5 in substantially parallel relation with their axes extending transversely of the duct.

A suitable stop means is provided across the lower end ii of the upper duct C and is designed by its inclination or curvature to impel the successive cans 5 laterally from the duct end i5 into the upper end of the lower duct D. As shown, the stop means 22 may comprise the lower wall of the lower duct D which is extendedjacross the lower end of the duct C and is bent back on itself to form a reinforcing support 23. The stop means 22 is curved or inclined downwardly toward the upper end of the lower duct D, whereby impinging engagement of the can ends on this stop means deflects the cans laterally into the duct D. The trough ii is of suflicient width to accommodate the cans 5 with their axes parallel and extending transversely of the trough.

Any suitable means may be provided for removing the cans 5 in parallel relation from the lower end of the trough 2 I. In the drawings, an upwardly inclined can elevator E has been diagrammatically illustrated for accomplishing this function. Since the means employed for 'lelflolfing or conducting the parallel cans forms no part of the present invention, and since many forms of such means are known in the art, the elevator E will not be described in detail. The various parts of the can turning mechanism are supported by any suitable means such as the angle frames 2 In the operation of the disclosed embodiment of the can turning device, the ranks of axially aligned cans 5 delivered from the sterilizer S are successively conveyed by the belt 1 into the upperduct' or chute C, the successive ranks of contact withihe upper and outer wall thereof,

as shown at 25 in Figure 2, and slide smoothly to positions in which their axes are horizontal and transverse of the receiving trough 2| through which they roll inparallel relation to the elevator E or other take-off means. 1

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the lower duct D is curved in a direction opposite to that of the curvature ofthe upper duct C. In certain installations, this relation of the curvature of the ducts may be reversed so that the lower duct is curved downwardly in the same direction as the upper duct. Such an arrangement has been illustrated in Figure 4, in which both the upper duct C and the lower duct D' curve downwardly and to the right as viewed. The stop means 22', formed as before from an extension of the wall of the lower duct D, is curved or inclined toward the side of the upper duct 0' that communicates with the upper end of the lower duct D. The arrangement of Figure 4 operates in the same manner as that of Figures 1 to 3, the cans falling with their axes substantially vertical at the lower end of the upper duct C until their lower ends strikethe stop means 22 whereupon the cans are impelled laterally into the lower ductD and turned to horizontal positions with their axes extending transversely of 'the duct. It will be appreciated that other relative arrangements of the curvature of the upper and lower ducts may be adopted so long as the stop means is properly inclined to impel the cans laterally from the lower end of the upper duct into the upper end of the lower duct. It should be understood that the can turning apparatus of the invention may be arranged to receive axially aligned cansi'n continuous or int'ermittent rows from various devices other than the sterilizer indicated, and may in general be employed wherever it is desired to turn a row of cans from axially aligned to parallel positions.

By the use of my improved can turning apparatus it is possible to turn and deliver in parallel relation cans which aremoving at a very high rate of speed. One embodiment of the apparatus is capable of continuously handling cans at the rate of over 300 cans per minute.

I claim: 1. Apparatus for delivering cylindrical cans received in horizontal axial alignment in a row with their cylindrical'surfaces parallel and their axes extending transversely of the row comprising tubular means having a downwardly curved portion and a substantially vertical portion below said downwardly curved portion, means for delivering cans to the upper end of said downwardly curved portion of the tubular means in horizontal axial alignment, said downtical position to pass therethrough, a downwardly curved duct of a size to receive and deliver cans,

said duct having its upper end communicating with the opening in the side of the vertical portion of said tubular means, and stop means at vertical portion of said tubular means and into said curved duct, the cans in passing through said curved duct being turned so that their axes are parallel and extend transversely ofsaid duct. 2. Apparatus for delivering cylindrical cans received in horizontal axial alignment in a row with their cylindrical surfaces parallel and their axes extending transversely of the row comprising tubular means having a downwardly curved portion and a substantially vertical portion below said downwardly curved portion, means for delivering cans to the upper end of said downwardly curved portionof the tubular means in horizontal axial alignment, said downwardly curved portion having confining wall portions which cause the cans delivered thereto to pass therethrough in end-to-end relation, said vertical portion of said tubular means having a vertically' extend opening in one side thereof of a size sufilcient for a can in substantially vertical position to'pass therethrough, a downwardly curved duct of a size to receive and deliver cans, said duct having a substantially vertical lower end and a downwardly inclined upper end communicating with theopening in the side of the vertical portion of said tubular means, and stop means at the lower end of said tubular means, said stop means being so positioned as to cause cans impinging thereagainst to be tilted and deflected sidewise through the opening in the side of said vertical portion of said tubular means and into said curved duct, the cans in passing through said curved duct being turned so that their axes are parallel and extend transversely of said duct.

. 3. Apparatus for delivering cylindrical cans received in horizontal ,axial alignment in a row with their cylindrical surfaces parallel and their axes extending transversely of the row comprising tubular means having a downwardly curved portion anda substantially vertical portion below said downwardly curved portion, means for delivering cans to the upper end of said downwardly curved portion of the tubular means in horizontal axial alignment, said downwardly curved portion having confining wall portions which cause the cans delivered thereto to pass therethrough in end-to-end relation, said vertical portion of said tubular means having a vertically extending opening in one side thereof of a size suflicient for a can in substantially vertical position to pass therethrough, a downwardly curved duct of a size to receive and deliver cans, the curvature of said duct being in the same direction as the curvature of said tubular means, said duct having its upper end communicating with the opening in the side of the vertical portion of said tubular means, and stop means at the lower end of said tubular means, said stop means being so positioned as to cause cans impinging thereagainst to be tilted and deflected sidewise through the opening in the'side of said vertical portion of said tubular means and into said curved duct, the cans in passing through said curved duct being turned so that their axes are parallel and extend transversely of said duct.

4. Apparatus for delivering cylindrical cans received in horizontal axial alignment in a row with their cylindrical surfaces parallel and their axes extending transversely of the row comprising tubular means having a downwardly curved portion and a substantiallyvertical portion below said downwardly curved portion, means for delivering cans to the upper end of said downwardly curved portion of the tubular means in horizontal axialv alignment, .said downwardly curved portion having confining wall portions which cause the cans delivered thereto to pass therethrough in end-to-end relation, said vertical portion of said tubular means having a vertically extending opening in one side thereof of a size suflicient fora can in substantially vertical position to pass therethrough, a downwardly curved duct of a size to receive and deliver cans, the curvature of said duct being in a direction opposite to the curvature of said tubular means, saidduct having its upper end communicating are parallel and extend transversely of said duct.

5. Apparatus for delivering cylindrical cans received in horizontal axial alignment in a row with their cylindrical surfaces parallel and their axes extending transversely of the row comprising tubular means having a downwardly curved portion and asubstantially vertical portion below said downwardly curved portion, means for delivering cans to the upper end of said d0wn-' wardly curved portion of the tubular means in horizontal axial alignment, said downwardly curved portion having confining wall portions which cause the cans delivered thereto to pass therethrough in end-to-end relation, said vertical l portion of said tubular means having a vertically extending opening in one side thereof of a size v sufllcient for a can in substantially vertical position to pass therethrough, adownwardly curved and inclined downwardly in the same direction as the curvature of said tubular means, so that cans impinging thereagainst will be tilted and deflected sidewise through the Opening in the side of said vertical portion of said tubular means and into said curved duct, the cans in passing through said curved duct being turned so that their axes are parallel and extend transversely of said duct. I

6. Apparatus for delivering cylindrical cans received in horizontal axial alignment in a row with their cylindrical surfaces parallel and their axes extending transversely of the row comprising tubular means having a downwardly curved portion and a substantially vertical portion below said downwardly curved portion, the upper end of said tubular means having a. substantially in end-to-end contact through the inlet end ofsaid tubular means, the cans in passing through the curved portion of said tubular means being turned to substantially vertical axially aligned position andthe ends of the adjacent cans being separated, said tubular means having confining wall portions which cause the cans delivered thereto to pass therethrough in end-to-end relation, said vertical portion of said tubular means having an opening in one side thereof of a size sufllcientior a can in substantially vertical position to pass therethrough. a downwardly curved duct 0! a size to receive and deliver cans, said duct having a substantially vertical lower portion .and a downwardly inclined upper portion communicating with the opening in the side 01 said duct.

WELD E. CONLEY, JR. 1 

